Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-05-19
KING
Solomon S Mines.
BY III. RIDER HAGGARD.


so We're able TO answer that it was
every good; then here we have it-4th
June, total eclipse of the sun commences at
IL Is Greenwich time, visible in these islands
Africa, ETC. There's sign for you. Tell
them that you will darken the sun to-mor-
row."
The idea was a splendid one; indeed, the
only fear about it was fear lest Goods al
manac might be incorrect. If we made a
false prophecy on such a subject our pres
tige would be gone forever, and SO would
IgnOSi'S chance of the throne of the Kukua-
mas.
Suppose the almanac is wrong" suggest
&c. Sir Henry to Good, who was buSily en-
plOyed in working out something on fly
leaf of the book.
Il don't see any reason to suppose any
thing of the Sort" was his answer. 'Eclip-
SEES always come up to time; at least, that is
my experience of them. and it especially
states that it will be visible in Africa. l
have worked out the reckonings as well
as l can, without knowing our exact posi-
ton; and l make out that the eclipse should
begin here about one o'clock tomorrow, and
last till half-past two. For half an hour or
more there should be total darkness"
''WelI," said Sir Henry, II suppose we
had better risk it."
L acquiesced, though doubtfUly, for eclpses
are queer cattle to deal with, and sent Um-
bopa to summons the chiefs back. Presently
they came, and | addressed them thus:
"Great men of the Kukuanas, and thou,
InfadoOs, listen. We are not fond Of show
ing our powers, since to do so is to interfere
with the course of nature, and plunge the
world into faor and conf,,ciOr. huL nc +bia
matter is great one, and as we are angered
against the king because of the slaughter we
have seen, and because Of the act of the
Inanusi Gagool, who would have put our
friend Ignosi to death, we have determined
to do so, and to give such sign as all men
may see. Come hither,'' and / led them to
the door of the hut and pointed to the fiery
ball of the rising sun; what see We there!
1--WE see the rising sum-" answered the
spokesman of the party.
1T IS so. Now tell me, can any mortal
man put out that sun, SO that night comes
down on the land at midday"
The chief laughed little. "No, my lord,
that no man can Go. The sun is stronger
than man who looks on him."
I'VE say SO. Yet | tell you that this day,
one hour after midday, will we put out that
sun for space Of an hour, and darkness
shall cover the earth, and it shall be for
sign that we are indeed men of honor, and
that lgn0si is indeed King of the Kukuanas.
III we do this thing will it satisfy yep
''Yea, my lords" answered the old chief
with a smile, which was reflected on the
faces of his companions; ''if We do this thing
we will be satisfied indeed
1T shall be done; we three, Incubu the
Elephant, BOugwan the clear-eyed, and Ma
cumazahn, who watches in the night, have
said it, and it shall be done. DoSt thou hear,
lnfadoOS?"
Il hear, my lovd, but it is a wonderful
thing that we promise, to put out the sun, the
father of all things, who shines forever"
Yet shall we do it, lnfadoos."
1T is well, my lords. To-day, little af-
ter midday, will Twala send for my lords to
witness the girls dance, and one hour after
the dance begins shall the girl whom Twala
thinks the fairest be killed by Scragga, the
kings son, as q sacrifice to the silent stone
ones, who sit and keep watch by the noun
tains yonder," and he pointed to the three
strengthening peaks where Solomon's
Road was supposed to end. Then let my
lords darlIen the sun, and save the maiden's
life, and the people will indeed believe"
'Ay," said the old chief, still smiling
little, 1.-THE people will believe, indeed"
1.-Two miles from Loo" went on Infadoos,
there is a hill curved like the new moon,
stronghold, where my regiment, and three
other regiments which these men command,
are stationed. This morning we will make !
plan whereby other regiments, two or
three, may be moved there also. Then if |
my lords can indeed darken the sun, in the !
darkness l will take my lords by the hand |
and lead them out OF Loo to this place |
where they shall be safe, and thence can we
make war upon Twala, the king"
1T is good" said l. Now, leave US to !
sleep awhile ana make ready our magic"
lnfadooS rose, ana, having saluted us, de-
parted with the chiefs
My friends" said IgnOsi, as soon as they |
were gone, ''can We indeed do this wonder
full thing, or were We speaking empty words !
to the men?''
1--WE believe that we can do it, Umbopa-
IgnoSi, mean"
sit is strange" he answered, 'and had We |
not been Englishmen L would not have be-
lieved it; but English gentlemen tell no
lies. If we live through the matter, be sure
l will repay YEP
'Ignosi," said Sir Henry, promise me
one thing"
Il will promise, Incubu, my friend, even
before | hear it, answered the big man
with smile. ''What is it?"
This; that if you ever come to be king of |
this people you will do away with the smell |
ling out of witches such. as we have seen |
last night; and that the killing of men with |
out trial shall not take place in the land"
Ignosi thought for moment after 1 had
translated this, and then answered:
''The ways of black people are not the
ways of white men, lncubu, nor do we hold
life as high as We. Yet will promise it. LII
it be in my power to hold them back, the
witch-finders shall hunt no more, nor shall
any man die the death without Judgment"
That's bargain, then, said SIR Henry;
sand now let us get little rest"
Thoroughly wearied out, we were soon
sound asleep, and slept till Ignosi woke US
about eleven o'clock. Then we got up,
washed, and ate hearty breakfast, not
knowing when we should get any more food.
After that we went outside the hut and
stared at the sun, which we were distressed
to observe presented respectable appear
ance, without a sign of an eclipse anywhere
about it.
81 hope it will come off, said Sir Henry,
fOubtfuily ''FalSe prophets often find